Speaking at the annual general meeting of WBCS Executive Officers Association on Sunday, Bhattacharjee said: “The socio-economic theory regarding the rise of Naxalism is wrong as it’s not lack of development that led to the menace.”

“The areas affected by the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) saw a lot of development but it has not yet been satisfactory. Can we say that Khalistan movement took place because of lack of development? It happened because there was a steady flow of money into the area and people had used it,” he said. Hinting at a similar flow of money and materials in the LWE-affected areas, the CM said: “In the Naxalite-affected districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore, development work has taken place. There are metal roads at places like Bandwan.” “Naxalism is a national phenomenon and has engulfed six states. There is a steady flow of money and materials into the area which is making our task difficult,” he said.